Knitting patterns are written using abbreviations. First up, it’s handy to know what these are. The below are for beginner patterns:
K = knit P = purl Rep = repeat st = stitch sts = stitches CO = cast on RS = right side WS = wrong side
When you get more advanced with your knitting, you’ll start seeing the following abbreviations as well:
Alt = alternate(ing) approx = approximately beg = beginning cont = continue(ity) C4B = Slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and leave at back of work. K2, then K2 from cable needle C4F = Slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and leave at front of work. K2, then K2 from cable needle CL = K2tog. Keep stitches on left-hand needle. P2tog into the same stitches. Slip off left-hand needle dec = decrease(ing dtr = double treble g = gram(s) inc = increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch K1below = knit into next stitch 1 row below K1tbl = Knit next stitch through back of loop K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together K2togtbl = Knit 2 stitches together through back loops K3(4,n)tog = Knit next 3(4, n)stitches together Kfb = increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch M1 = Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and knitting into back of loop. M1P = Make 1 stitch by picking up horizontal loop lying before next stitch and purling into back of loop. MB = Make bobble: [(K1. yfwd) 3 times. K1] all in next st. Turn. P7. Turn. Sl1. K1. psso. K3. P2tog = purl two stitches together P3(4,n)tog = purl next 3(4,n) stitches together P2togtbl = purl 2 stitches together through back loops psso = pass slipped stitch over rem = remain(ing) rnd(s) = round(s) Sl st = Slip stitch Sl1 = Slip next stitch knitwise Sl1K = Slip next stitch knitwise Sl1P = Slip next stitch purlwise